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China trade delegation meets with governor

COLUMBIA -- Gov. Mark Sanford and officials from the state Commerce Department met with representatives from 11 Chinese organizations and companies Friday in an effort to continue nurturing the budding trade relationship between South Carolina and China.

The visit by the delegation of high-ranking executives from some of China's premier companies is a direct result of the mission the governor and Commerce Secretary Bob Faith took to China in October. The delegation had originally planned visits only to Texas, Florida and Idaho.

However, because of a meeting that took place between Sanford, Faith, and a high-ranking official from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade during their October visit, South Carolina was added to the list of destinations for the delegation.

"I'm glad to see that the conversations from our trip are continuing," Sanford said. "We took two messages with us on our trip to China -- one was that changes clearly needed to be made in the current trade relationship between our two countries in order to avoid what would likely be some fairly significant tariff moves at the federal level. Two, we wanted to make sure they knew that there are some real competitive advantages out there for them to look at as far as investing in our state was concerned. It's obviously a good thing that we're staying on their radar for possible investment in our economy."

"In China I witnessed an incredibly dynamic economy that will continue to expand in the years to come," Faith said. "We want to be a part of that growth, and we welcome every opportunity to meet with Chinese business leaders and show them that South Carolina wants to win their business."

South Carolina has had a positive history of partnerships with Chinese firms since 1994. In that year, Greenville Glass Industries, Inc., owned by Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co. Ltd., based in Fujing, China, was established. The business is an automotive replacement glass facility that employs five people. In 1999, Haier America Refrigerators Co. established a $30 million facility in Camden. The company's parent is the Haier Group in Qingdao, China. The refrigerator manufacturer employs 200 people.

China and Hong Kong combined to be South Carolina's fifth largest export trading partner in 2002. South Carolina companies exported over $236 million worth of goods and services to China last year.

Also in 2002, $11 million was invested in South Carolina's economy by Chinese manufacturing firms and 40 new jobs were created.

South Carolina leads the U.S. with its probusiness environment. The state offers strategic operating advantages and is committed to long-term partnerships with its trade partners, including China.